Road Safety audits are carried out at different stages or projects, says Minister
Framing of guidelines on integration of safety technology into the regulatory frameworks of the highway projects to reduce accidents and to improve emergency response is a continuous process, says Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari.
Safety measures are part and parcel of highway projects including tunnel projects during different stages of design, construction and Operation & Maintenance (O&M), he told parliament on 13 Dec 2023.
“Road Safety audits at different stages viz. design stage, construction stage, pre-opening stage and operation stage are also carried out in National Highway projects including tunnel projects to ensure the safety of road users,” he assured.
Gadkari elaborated, “Framing of guidelines on integration of safety technology into the regulatory frameworks of the highway projects including those in the Himalayan projects and their up-gradation to improve safety, to reduce accidents and to improve emergency response is a continuous process.”
Subsequent to the collapse in Silkyara Tunnel on NH-134, an Expert Committee has been constituted by the Government for investigation of the reasons for collapse of the tunnel and for recommendations in respect of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to be followed in case of tunnel collapse and tunnel construction.
The recent collapse in Silkyara Tunnel on NH-134 under Chardham National Highway Improvement Programme took place during construction.
The project is under implementation by National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) on Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode.
The contract conditions provide for all safety norms & regulations in line with the National and International safety standards, the Minister explained.
Construction works including the safety aspects are supervised by Authority Engineer. Field officials and senior officers of NHIDCL also regularly inspect and monitor the work including its various safety aspects, he informed the house. Fiinews.com
